Lionel Messi Denies Chelsea, Man City Transfer Rumors, Blasts ‘Lies’ (Video)

Lionel Messi is trying to quell the ongoing storm that many believe he is responsible for starting at FC Barcelona.

After leading Barcelona to a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, Messi denied rumors, which claim his relationship with head coach Luis Enrique has broken down and that he intends to leave the club for Chelsea or Manchester City next summer. Messi blasted the recent rumors as “lies” in an interview with Barcelona’s in-house television station, according to the BBC.

“I have no intentions of leaving for any team, not Chelsea nor Manchester City,” Messi said. “I’m tired of all the things that people have been saying. I didn’t ask the club to fire anyone.”

Barecelona’s win over Atletico Madrid capped a tumultous week at the club, during which president Josep Maria Bartomeu fired sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, accepted the resignation of Zubizarreta’s deputy (and former captain) Carles Puyol and called for new elections one year ahead of schedule. Bartomeu nominally is in charge as chairman of the board of directors, but many believe Messi has been making important decisions at Barcelona for years.

Messi rarely speaks in public, so there must be a good reason for him to give this extraordinary interview. The next few months should reveal exactly why Messi has took these steps at this time.